Touch-based system for controlling an automotive steering wheel

Abstract

Provided is a system for generating a vehicle steering signal. A non-rotatable steering control is mounted about a steering axis. The steering control includes a pressure sensor configured to generate an output signal in response to hand movements along the steering control. The system includes a hub and at least one spoke connecting the steering control to the hub. The hub is offset from the steering axis. A control unit is configured to generate the vehicle steering signal based on the output signal from the pressure sensor.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for generating a vehicle steering signal, comprising:
 a non-rotatable steering control mounted about a steering axis, the steering control comprising a pressure sensor configured to generate an output signal in response to hand movements along the steering control; 
 a hub; 
 at least one spoke connecting the steering control to the hub, wherein the hub is offset from the steering axis; and 
 a control unit configured to generate the vehicle steering signal based on the output signal from the pressure sensor. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , comprising a steering control column attaching the hub to a vehicle to be steered, wherein the steering control column extends along a column axis, the steering axis and the column axis being non-coincident. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , comprising a communication module located in the hub, and configured to send steering requests to the control unit based on changes in the output signal from the pressure sensor. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor comprises a first piezoelectric pressure transducer extending along a first circumferential portion of the steering control, and a second piezoelectric pressure transducer extending along a second circumferential portion of the steering control. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 4 , wherein the first circumferential portion is greater than 90 degrees and the second circumferential portion is greater than 90 degrees. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 , wherein respective signal levels generated by the first and second piezoelectric pressure transducers change with hand movements along the steering control. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the steering control is aligned with an instrument cluster of the vehicle to be steered, and
 an open area within the steering control and above the hub, for viewing the instrument cluster through the steering control, is greater than a total remaining area enclosed by the steering control, wherein the total remaining area includes the hub the at least one spoke. 
 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one spoke comprises:
 a first lateral spoke connecting the steering control to the hub at a first lateral side of the hub; 
 a second lateral spoke connecting the steering control to the hub at a second lateral side of the hub; and 
 a central spoke connecting the steering control to the hub at a location along the steering control between connections to the first and second lateral spokes, 
 wherein the first and second lateral spokes are longer than the central spoke, and 
 the total remaining area includes the first lateral spoke, the second lateral spoke, the central spoke, and further open areas. 
 
     
     
       9. A system for generating a vehicle steering signal, comprising:
 a non-rotatable steering control mounted about a steering axis, the steering control comprising a sensor configured to generate an output signal in response to hand movements along the steering control; 
 a hub connected to the steering control, wherein the hub is offset from the steering axis; and 
 a control unit configured to generate the vehicle steering signal based on the output signal from the sensor, wherein 
 the steering control is aligned with an instrument cluster of the vehicle to be steered, and 
 an open area within the steering control and above the hub, for viewing the instrument cluster through the steering control, is greater than a total remaining area enclosed by the steering control, wherein the total remaining area includes the hub. 
 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , comprising a steering control column attaching the hub to a vehicle to be steered, wherein the steering control column extends along a column axis, the steering axis and the column axis being non-coincident. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 9 , comprising a communication module located in the hub, and configured to send steering requests to the control unit based on changes in the output signal from the sensor. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor including a first piezoelectric pressure transducer extending along a first circumferential portion of the steering control, and a second piezoelectric pressure transducer extending along a second circumferential portion of the steering control. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first circumferential portion is greater than 120 degrees and the second circumferential portion is greater than 120 degrees. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13 , wherein respective signal levels generated by the first and second piezoelectric pressure transducers change with hand movements along the steering control. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the steering control comprises:
 a first lateral spoke connecting the steering control to the hub at a first lateral side of the hub; 
 a second lateral spoke connecting the steering control to the hub at a second lateral side of the hub; and 
 a central spoke connecting the steering control to the hub at a location along the steering control between connections to the first and second lateral spokes, and 
 wherein the first and second lateral spokes are longer than the central spoke, and 
 the total remaining area includes the first lateral spoke, the second lateral spoke, the central spoke, and further open areas. 
 
     
     
       16. A system for generating a vehicle steering signal, comprising:
 a non-rotatable steering wheel mounted about a steering axis, the steering wheel comprising a hub that is offset from the steering axis, and a pressure sensor configured to generate an output signal in response to hand movements along the steering wheel; 
 a steering control column attaching the hub to a vehicle to be steered, wherein the steering control column extends along a column axis, the steering axis and the column axis being non-coincident; 
 a control unit configured to generate the vehicle steering signal based on the output signal from the pressure sensor, wherein 
 the steering wheel is aligned with an instrument cluster of the vehicle to be steered, 
 the steering wheel forms an open area above the hub, the open area being enclosed by the steering wheel and at least partially by the hub, for viewing the instrument cluster through the steering wheel, and 
 the open area is greater than a total remaining area enclosed by the steering wheel, wherein the total remaining area includes the hub. 
 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 16 , wherein the steering wheel further comprises:
 a first lateral spoke connecting the steering wheel to the hub at a first lateral side of the hub; 
 a second lateral spoke connecting the steering wheel to the hub at a second lateral side of the hub; and 
 a central spoke connecting the steering wheel to the hub at a location along the steering wheel between connections to the first and second lateral spokes, wherein 
 the first and second lateral spokes are longer than the central spoke, 
 the open area is enclosed by the steering wheel, the hub and the first and second lateral spokes, and 
 the total remaining area includes the first lateral spoke, the second lateral spoke, the central spoke, and further open areas. 
 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 16 , comprising a communication module located in the hub, and configured to send steering requests to the control unit based on changes in the output signal from the pressure sensor. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 16 , wherein the pressure sensor comprises a first piezoelectric pressure transducer extending along a left hand portion of the steering wheel, and a second piezoelectric pressure transducer extending along a right hand portion of the steering wheel. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 19 , wherein respective signal levels generated by the first and second piezoelectric pressure transducers change with hand movements along the steering wheel.